REGULAR BIKE VS ELECTRIC BIKE: WHICH IS BEST FOR YOU?

You may have noticed more and more urban dwellers rocking Electric Bikes to get to places or have overheard a fellow officemate about their awesome ride through rocky terrain with their shiny new Electric Bike. Whichever way you have discovered Electric Bikes, one thing is for sure-- Electric Bikes are booming! 

And did you know that Electric Bikes converted casual riders to daily cyclists? It’s true! A study showed that only 55% of people rode their bikes once a week or more, but after switching to an Electric Bike, this number rose to 93%. 

With its hyperfast growth in popularity, you may have even considered getting one for yourself! However, you might start to think: why not just go for a regular bike? Is an Electric Bike a good fit for your lifestyle? 

Well, today we’ll talk about the pros and cons of both options for you to better gauge which bike is best for you! 

Before we begin comparing the regular bikes and Electric Bikes though, 

WHAT ARE ELECTRIC BIKES EXACTLY? 

To the uninitiated, Electric Bikes have a built-in motor that assists in pedaling. For urban commuters, the pedal assist allows you to travel to places without dripping in sweat once you get to your destination. For the adrenaline junkie that loves to ride around rocky tracks or steep hills, the pedal assist prevents them from being completely wiped out during the ride. 

And for the individuals wanting to get their cardio in but may have knee problems or health issues such as asthma, an Electric Bike is much gentler to the body but will still definitely get your heart pumping! 

Not to mention it’s environmentally-friendly! An Electric Bike significantly lessens your carbon footprint when you switch from a gasoline-powered car. And you save more on your monthly spend from gas, car maintenance, and even parking fees. 

Truly, it’s a great bike! Let’s delve a little deeper into its benefits and drawbacks, shall we? 

PROS OF ELECTRIC BIKES

CHEAPER TRANSPORTATION 

Taking a bus, Uber, or however you need to get to where you need to be, an Electric Bike is the cheapest way to get around. Commuting can be a hassle and its cost will add up on your monthly spend. 

And as we mentioned above, if you use a car, opting for an Electric Bikes saves you big on gas, maintenance and even license and insurance. 

To add to that, the initial cost is a lot less inexpensive.

YOU CAN TRAVEL FURTHER AND FASTER 

By law in Australia, our Electric Bikes can easily assist you up to 25Km/H. The motor can actually get you up to speeds of 45Km/H, but this would require the buyer to delimit the bike. This is a service we do not offer, but can easily be configured through the bikes computer. Regular cyclists can’t really go that fast with their own power. So, with a higher average speed, you will reach your destination in no time! 

And since you can go much faster with ease, the amount of effort required to cover 10 miles on a conventional bike, for example, can carry riders closer to 20 miles when combined with the power generated by an Electric Bike motor.

GREAT EXERCISE FOR ANYONE 

Especially for individuals with health conditions with a limited physical capacity but still need exercise to maintain their health. As we mentioned above, this is much gentler on the body and at the same time empowering for these individuals. 

SWEAT-FREE COMMUTES 

Now, if you’re a commuter, an Electric Bike makes it easier for you thanks to its pedal assist. Got an important meeting that’s a few kilometers away? You can get there on time while still looking fresh and well-putted once you arrive. 

Now, time for the drawbacks… 

CONS OF ELECTRIC BIKES 

SIGNIFICANT UPFRONT INVESTMENT 

Yes, an Electric Bike can save you some money in comparison to a car, however Electric Bikes can cost a lot. You only start saving prior to making the investment. 

IT’S HEAVIER THAN A REGULAR BIKE 

Since it has a motor and a battery, this adds to its overall weight. Even after immense improvements in technologies and components, Electric Bikes are still noticeably heavier than your average, normal bike. 

SPECIALIZED & COMPLEXED PARTS 

Electric Bikes still have the usual parts of a regular bike that you can find anywhere, but there are still a handful of highly specialized components unique to Electric Bikes, hence they are quite hard to find or more expensive. 

Now onto the traditional yet ever reliable bike! Despite Electric Bikes gaining its prominence, a regular bike can still be a good option for you. So, let’s talk about the benefits of opting for a regular bike instead. 

PROS OF REGULAR BIKES

LIGHTER THAN AN ELECTRIC BIKE 

Without a motor that powers your bike, this makes regular bikes significantly lighter than an Electric Bike. This makes it easier for you to travel with and even pedal faster. 

RULES AND REGULATIONS 

Not all Electric Bikes are allowed in certain areas and parts of the world. Since it’s a motorized means of transportation, that means they are subject to government regulations. In comparison, a regular bike has more freedom to ride around in places. 

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS 

All the components of a regular bike can easily be found anywhere with competitive prices, whereas Electric Bikes have super specialized parts that are quite difficult to find and are on the expensive side due to its rarity. 

Plus, with a regular bike, you don’t need to worry about expensive battery replacements! 

IT’S NOT A HUGE UPFRONT INVESTMENT 

Unlike the Electric Bike. Regular Bike prices have a wide price range, which leaves you with a plethora of models that are more affordable in comparison to an Electric Bike with fewer models and a limited price range. 

CONS OF REGULAR BIKES

PRONE TO INJURY 

There is a tendency to over exert yourself that may lead to an injury such as knee problems. 

IT’S MORE TIRING  

Without  the boost that an Electric Bike gives, regular bikes can take more effort getting to places, leaving you sweaty and tired. 

IT TAKES MORE TIME AND EFFORT TO GET TO PLACES 

It all depends on how fast you can go and your endurance, but an Electric Bike’s fire power is still incomparable in terms of distance and the time it takes. 

There you have it! Each bike has its ups and downs and it all depends on your preference and lifestyle on which best suits you. 

If you’re choosing to invest in an Electric Bike, then you’re in the right place! Check out our shop for top quality Electric Bikes with competitive prices. You can also book test rides with us!